Some Ford models already use sensors to detect potholes and adjust the car’s suspension in an effort to reduce vehicle damage.

Dr Breckon pointed out that encouraging drivers to avoid all routes with potholes might cause congestion in other areas – and there could be cheaper ways of solving the problem, such as improving road surfaces.

This point was also raised by Howard Robinson, chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA).

“Anything that helps to avoid pothole damage, great, let’s support that – but let’s also think about road maintenance being properly funded,” he told the BBC.

“Is it over-engineered? Maybe. I’d be interested to know how much money has been diverted into researching this technology while local authorities are cash-strapped.”

The RSTA said there was a 16% drop in funds for council highway maintenance in 2016. It estimates it would cost £11.8bn to clear the backlog of pothole repairs in the UK alone.